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THE COLBURN PRIZE 


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“ As she reached the steps Gertrude called, 
* mamma, where are you? ’ ” 


The COLBURN 
PRIZE'*'**'* 


By y 

GABRIELLE E. JACKSON 

Author of 

“DENISE AND NED TOODLES ” and 
“PRETTY POLLY PERKINS” 



NEW YORK 

J. F. TAYLOR & COMPANY 

1901 




The liirary of 

OONQRESS, 

Two Comes Received 

DEC. 5 1901 

CopVQIOHT ENTRY 

U+aJ. f 

CLASS CC'XXo. Mo. 

a i c r f 

copy a 


COPYRIGHT, I9OI, BY 
J . F . TAYLOR AND 
COMPANY, NEW YORK 


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To 

The School Girls 
throughout our dear land 
whose delightful letters have come to me 
like pleasant thoughts when such were wanted y 
this little story of school-girl life 
is most affectionately 
inscribed 


G. E. J. 


Contents 


Chapter Page 

I. The Perfectly Splendid News 11 

II. The Competition Begins 23 

III. Alice Fisher . ... 35 

IY. Alice Reads Her Paper and Her Friends 

Read Alice 47 

Y. Gertrude’s Scheme 57 

VI. Gertrude’s Sacrifice G3 

Vn. The Prize is Won 73 

VIII. An Investigating Committee 85 

IX. The Scales of Justice Balance Evenly... 97 

X. “As Sunshine Succeeds Shadow” 109 


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 


As she reached the steps Gertrude called, “Mamma, 
where are you ? ’ (Page 91) Frontispiece ^ 

PAGE 

Gertrude’s mother removed her hat and coat as she 

talked 12 

Not long afterward she was coasting down the hill, in 
company with her boon companion . . . . 19 ^ 

Alice worked hard upon the all-important paper . . 42 

“Now, who ever heard such a broad hint?” asked 

Gertrude . . , . 47 ^ 

They romped with the little fox-terrier . . .52 

The girls crowded about her as she opened the pretty 

case 81 

Gertrude clasped her arms about Mrs. Colburn’s neck, 101 






• • 




The Perfectly Splendid News 


The COLBURN PRIZE 


CHAPTER I 

THE PERFECTLY SPLENDID NEWS 

mamma, mamma, what do you 
suppose? ” cried a very excited little 
girl, as she rushed into her mother’s cozy 
“ den ” at half-past one o’clock on a certain 
Friday afternoon. 

“ I ‘ suppose ’ — I ‘ suppose ’ — well, 1 4 sup- 
pose ’ my little daughter wants her 
luncheon ; and I ‘ suppose ’ she wants to kiss 
me just over my left eye, since she claims 
that particular spot for her very own; and 
I ‘ suppose ’ she has something wildly ex- 
citing to tell me — probably a piece of school 
news or something similar; otherwise she 
would not have rushed in like a tornado; a 
tornado; a southeast gale is generally suf- 
11 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


ficient to announce an ordinary piece of 
news.” And Mrs. Folsome laughed as she 
drew Gertrude toward her with a tender, 
caressing gesture. 

“No; but really, truly, mamma, I have 
the most exciting piece of news to tell this 
time, and I just simply scorched home to tell 
you all about it. I left Alice pedaling away 
up the hill, but the news was so perfectly 
splendid that I had to leave her behind, and 
come home as hard as ever I could come.” 

“ And now that you are here, why not dis- 
close it at once, and not keep me in this hor- 
rible suspense? ” said her mother, removing 
Gertrude’s hat and coat as she talked. 

“Well, I will; and it’s just this: Mrs. 
Colburn was at the school this morning and 
came into our literature class just as we 
were reading a sketch of Longfellow’s life, 
and we each had to read some poem of his. 
Well, Alice Fisher had just read < The 
Bridge,’ and she read it beautifully; and 
12 



Gertrude’s mother removed her hat and coat as she talked 











































THE PERFECTLY SPLENDID NEWS 


then it came my turn, and I read 1 The Chil- 
dren’s Hour.’ You know how I love it, for 
it is so like our home that I always feel as 
though it were papa and I the poem told 
about. So I read it just as I felt it; and 
when I’d finished Miss Case said, ‘ Very 
nicely read, Gertrude,’ and Mrs. Colburn 
asked my name. Wasn’t I proud, though ! ” 
And Gertrude emphasized her delight by a 
rapturous little skip to and fro. 

“ That dance is in parenthesis, I suppose” 
x\.nd her mother laughed as she used Ger- 
trude’s favorite word. 

“ Oh, well, I can’t help it, and I am so 
glad, that I have to dance. But now I’ll go 
on. 

“ So we all read our poems ; and some of 
those girls — well, I’m glad I wasn’t any of 
them, for they made just bosh of what they 
read. I felt so ashamed for them! And 
wasn’t I glad you had always been so care- 
ful about my reading! For I never should 
13 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


have been able to read so well if you hadn’t 
made me just see everything I read, and tell 
all about it in my own words afterward. 
Then Mrs. Colburn said, — and you know 
her voice is just like little silver bells when 
she talks, — ‘ I wonder how many of the chil- 
dren who have been reading Mr. Longfel- 
low’s poems to-day have ever formed mental 
pictures of them, and I wonder what they 
mean to those who have done so? ’ 

“ Some of us answered that we had, and 
some of us that we hadn’t; and then she said, 
‘ 1 wish each of you would try to see them, 
for you have no idea how much more the 
poems would mean to you if you did so.’ 

“ Then I told her that you and I always 
did that way when we read anything, and 
what lovely times we had doing it : and you 
can’t think how pleased she was.” 

“ Indeed I can, too, for I know just how 
fascinating Mrs. Colburn is ; she is a poem 
herself, with her great brown eyes, clear 
14 


THE PERFECTLY SPLENDID NEWS 


skin, and snowy hair brushed up from her 
forehead.” 

“And doesn’t she dress prettily, mamma? 
— all in those soft grays.” 

“ Yes ; she has exquisite taste in that, as 
in everything else. But now, my darling, 
come down to luncheon, and tell me the rest 
at the lunch-table.” 

With arms locked around each other, 
mother and bonny little daughter walked 
down the pretty oak staircase and into the 
cheerful dining-room, where Henry, the 
neat colored boy, had just laid a dainty 
luncheon. 

“Now I am all ready to hear the conclu- 
sion,” said Mrs. Folsome, when she had 
poured the tea. 

And Gertrude resumed : “ Then Mrs. 

Colburn told us that she felt a great interest 
in our literature class, and particularly in 
to-day’s subject, as she had known Mr. Long- 
fellow intimately, and had at one time lived 
15 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


near his lovely home in Cambridge. Of 
course, we girls went nearly wild then, for it 
made it seem truly true. Somehow, mamma, 
it never seems to me that the people who 
wrote the poems every really lived ; does it 
seem so to you? ” 

“ Why, certainly, dear. I have known, 
and now know, persons who have given the 
world some very lovely thoughts.” 

“ Well, Mrs. Colburn made it seem real 
to us to-day ; for she told us about Mr. Long- 
fellow’s house, and his daughters, and — oh ! 
ever so many things that I couldn’t begin to 
tell over again! And then she said — and 
this is the perfectly splendid part — that she 
wanted us each to choose one of his poems 
and write a story about it — to draw a pen- 
picture, one might say, and try to make 
other people see the poem as we saw it.. That 
is, illustrate it as an artist would, but with- 
out drawing a sketch as he would do. 

“ We are to have them all ready a week 
16 


THE PERFECTLY SPLENDID NEWS 


from to-day, and are to give them to Miss 
Case, and she will send them to Mrs. Col- 
burn to be criticized and judged. Then, the 
Friday after that, we are to meet Mrs. Col- 
burn at the school at twelve o’clock, and the 
girl who has written the best description is 
to have a perfectly beautiful prize; and 
you’ll never, never guess what it is to be ! ” 

“I am sure I never shall, so you had 
better relieve my suspense at once.” 

“ A gold watch with the winner’s mono- 
gram on one side and ‘ H. W. L.’ on the 
other ! ” And Gertrude laid down her knife 
and fork to point both forefingers at her 
mother, as though to impress the great im- 
portance of this wonderful piece of news 
more emphatically. 

“ Did you ever hear of anything so de- 
lightful, marmee? ” 

“ I don’t think I ever did ; and I wish with 
all my heart that you may be the successful 
competitor : for, aside from the beauty of the 

17 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


prize, its associations will be of far greater 
value. But you will have to try very hard, 
dear.” 

“ You had better believe I shall try hard; 
and I’m going to begin this very evening. I 
think I’ll choose ‘ The Children’s Ilour,’ for 
that seems to mean more to me than any of 
his poems.” 

“ Then I certainly should choose it, by all 
means. But tell me, are the descriptions to 
be read in the school two weeks from 
to-day? ” 

“Yes; Miss Case will dismiss the whole 
school at noon, and then the literature class 
will meet in the big assembly-room. Of 
course, any of the other girls who choose to 
remain to hear the readings may do so, and 
we may invite some of our friends if we 
wish to.” 

“ May I be considered a friend, and come, 
too? ” asked Mrs. Folsome, as she rose from 
the table. 


18 



“Not long afterward she was coasting down the hill 
in company with her boon companion ” 





THE PERFECTLY SPLENDID NEWS 

“ My vote is a Yes , with a capital letter I 
Why, it wouldn’t be worth a little green but- 
ton unless you were there to listen ! ” 

“ Very well; I’ll be sure to be there, and 
so add to the value of the occasion that it 
will be worth a big blue button ! Will that 
be par value? ” 

“ Yes, indeedy. And now I’m going out 
for a spin; for I’ve thought so hard about 
all this that my brain is as snarly as my 
hair, and if you have to get the kinks out of 
that and my hair, too, before I go to bed to- 
night, you will have an awful time. Good- 
by ! ” and throwing her mother a good-by 
kiss she ran out of the room. 

Not long afterward she was coasting 
down the hill, in company with her boon 
companion, Alice Fisher, whom she had met 
at the front door ; for, as Mr. Folsome put it, 
“ they hunted in couples,” and were never 
far apart. 


19 



I 


The Competition Begins 


CHAPTER II 


THE COMPETITION BEGINS 

B EFORE going further it will perhaps 
be well to tell something of our little 
heroine; for we all like to know some- 
what of the personal appearance and sur- 
roundings of those in whom we are inter- 
ested. 

Mr. and Mrs. Folsome lived in a pretty 
suburban town not many miles distant from 
the great city that had recently absorbed 
so many of the smaller cities which sur- 
rounded it. The town in which they had 
chosen to make their own particular home 
was one of the loveliest of the city’s suburbs, 
and not within its boundary lines could 
have been found a spot more attractive. 

While not wealthy, Mr. Folsome enjoyed 
a very comfortable income, and so long as 
he was able to bring happiness to his wife 
and little daughter, to provide them with 
23 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


everything necessary to their comfort and 
many little pleasures besides, he was as 
happy as a man could well be. 

Mrs. Folsome was a devoted wife and 
mother, living in the lives of her husband 
and sunshiny little daughter, and find- 
ing her own life very full and sweet 
therein. 

She and Gertrude were boon companions, 
and to Gertrude nothing was quite complete 
unless “ mamma ” shared it. While both 
parents always considered their little 
daughter's happiness, and endeavored to 
gratify every reasonable wish, they never, 
for one moment, lost sight of the fact that 
she was an “ only child,” and had a very 
wholesome dread of her ever becoming the 
proverbial spoiled one. To guide her gently 
up to an unselfish, noble womanhood was 
their paramount aim; and up to the time 
our story opens they had certainly met with 
pronounced success, for Gertrude was as 
24 


THE COMPETITION BEGINS 


happy and wholesome a bit of bonny girl- 
hood as one would wish for. 

She had just passed her twelfth birthday, 
and, thanks to her wise mother’s care, was 
as strong and healthy as plenty of outdoor 
exercise, wholesome food, and early hours 
could make her. An active mind had been 
carefully trained, and at twelve she was as 
well informed as is the average girl of six- 
teen; for both father and mother read and 
talked freely with her, taking care to an- 
swer in the wisest, simplest way any ques- 
tion she asked. 

And they were kept well occupied, I do 
assure you, for under their wise care, brain 
and body developed with surprising 
rapidity. 

She was about the average height, grace- 
fully formed, her head well poised, and her 
body erect and alert. She had big brown 
eyes, a dainty nose somewhat inclined to 
sniff at th6 clouds, a beautiful, sensitive 
25 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


mouth, and a clear olive skin, which defying 
wind and weather, kept its perfect clear- 
ness and softness under all conditions, ner 
hair never tcould “ stay put,” but was de- 
termined to fly about in all directions, and 
kink up in spite of the stiffest of stiff 
brushes. 

Such was the little maid whom, a few 
hours later, we find scribbling away at her 
pretty oak desk in the cozy library, her fore- 
head in a kink, and her mouth pursed up 
into a perplexed pucker. 

“ Daddie dear,” she said, turning to her 
father, who sat reading the evening paper 
beside the shaded lamp which stood upon 
the library table, and calling him by the pet 
name she had given him when she was a 
wee child, “ would you prefer to have your 
study — if you happened to have one — fur- 
nished in dark red or in old blue? ” 

“ That would depend upon the woodwork 
of the room,” was the reply. 

26 


THE COMPETITION BEGINS 


“ I think I shall make the room all in 
beautiful mahogany, with a richly carved 
chimney-piece and handsome mahogany 
furnishings.” 

“ Then I think the old blue would be the 
handsomer, and I would have the tiling of 
the fireplace to match.” 

“ Oh, yes ! and beautiful brass fire-irons 
and fender, and a lovely brass lamp with a 
pretty cream-colored shade; and everything 
just as it should be.” 

“ Yes ; I should certainly have everything 
just as it should be.” And her father smiled 
at her eagerness. 

“ Are we to have your description read to 
us when completed?” asked her mother, 
who sat before the pretty open fireplace with 
“ Dot,” the fox-terrier, curled up in her lap. 

“ To be sure you are ! Why, what would 
it be like if you and papa didn’t have first 
criticism, I’d like to know? ” Gertrude 
looked quite horrified. 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


Scratch, scratch, went the pencil, and for 
a long time it was the only sound heard. 

“ There ! that’s the first draft, and if it’s 
all right I’ve only to copy it carefully.” 
Then Gertrude bounced up so suddenly that 
her pens and pencils danced, and Dot fell 
heels over head into the fender. 

“ Mercy me ! I do believe he has bumped 
himself to bits,” cried the unintentional 
cause of the little dog’s upset, and she flew 
to rescue the unfortunate. 

“ Did I nearly scare you into fits, you poor 
little stump-tail? Well, it was too bad, and 
I won’t give such a bounce again. But, 
Dot,” — seriously, — “ you don’t know what 
cause I have for jumping” — holding the 
little terrier at arm’s-length, and wagging 
her head at him very solemnly. 

“ Just suppose you were trying your very 
bestest best to win a perfectly beautiful 
gold — Oh, dear, you wouldn’t give a pin for 
a watch, would you? Well, then, a bone — 
28 


THE COMPETITION BEGINS 


a monstrous bone. A bone as big as dad- 
die’s foot,” with a mischievous glance over 
her shoulder at her father who exclaimed 
with well assumed indignation, “ Well, I 
like that! ” “Don’t you think you would get 
excited, too? ” 

Dot wriggled and squirmed, wagged his 
stump of a tail, and made frantic laps at 
her face with his little pink tongue. 

Seating herself upon the broad arm of her 
father’s easy chair, and laying one arm 
caressingly across his shoulder, she began : 

“ Now, ladies and gentlemen and dogs, 
your attention, please.” And she began to 
read her pen-picture of “ The Children’s 
Hour.” 

It was really remarkably well done for a 
child of twelve, and showed an exceptional 
appreciation of the beautiful poem. 

One saw the rich hangings of the hand- 
somely appointed study ; the soft light from 
the hall lamp falling aslant the doorway be- 
29 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


tween the heavy velvet portieres ; the bright 
hall with its great wide stairway, and the 
three laughing girls tiptoeing down the 
stairs. Then came the “ sudden raid,” and 
the girls surround their father as he sits 
in the large easy-cliair before the glowing 
coals of the open lire, their arms encircling 
him, while they press their soft, laughing 
faces close to his graver one, and he tries to 
gather them all to his heart, which is large 
enough to hold them within its “ round 
tower,” even though his arms cannot em- 
brace all at once. 

Love, tenderness, mirth, and joy were all 
depicted, and well depicted, too; for, with 
all her fun and happy-go-lucky ways, Ger- 
trude had a keen appreciation of all that 
was beautiful, and her constant association 
with her parents made her quick to realize 
the feelings of others. Then, too, she ex- 
pressed herself easily and simply in writing, 
and each word told. 


30 


THE COMPETITION BEGINS 


“ Very well written, my little girl,” said 
her father, when she had finished reading. 
“ You have only to go over it carefully in or- 
der to make a few corrections in the con- 
struction of your sentences, and you will be 
in a fair way to hear your watch ticking, 
two weeks from to-night,” 

“ Do you truly think so, papa? ” — eagerly. 
“ I truly do, dear.” 

“ And, mamma, what do you think of it? ” 
“ I’ve just come back from a pleasant call 
upon Mr. Longfellow and his daughters in 
their Cambridge home, and have hardly yet 
waked up to my present surroundings.” 

“ Beally — have you really? Oh, I am so 
glad I made you see it just as I felt it all! 
And now come along, Dot, and let’s have a 
romp. I’ve scribbled till my fingers ache.” 

And away she pranced with her jolly play- 
fellow, her mood having changed in one 
little instant from the serious to the merry 
side of her nature. 


31 


( 



Alice Fisher 




CHAPTER III 


ALICE FISHER 

M ONDAY morning found the school- 
room in a state of wild excitement ; for 
the girls were all brimful of the competition, 
and many of them, like Gertrude, had already 
written their papers. So a perfect babel of 
tongues held forth upon their various strong 
points; for large and small were alike in- 
terested, and ready to praise or criticize 
freely. Of those already written several 
were very good, and the contest for the 
watch bid fair to be a keen one. 

“ IPs no use for me to try, for I never 
can make any sense of it,” said Dora Hinton, 
a rather heavy girl, whose seat was two or 
three desks removed from Gertrude’s. 

“ Oh, yes, you can, too,” replied Alice 
Fisher, to whom the remark was made, and 
who wished to encourage Dora. 

“ No, I can’t, really. Somehow, I can’t 
35 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


imagine things one bit. I like to hear of 
them, or read about them, but I think imagi- 
nation must have been left out when I was 
made.” Poor Dora looked rather forlorn 
over her shortcomings. 

“ I do so wish I could win that watch,” 
said Alice, wistfully ; “ but I’m afraid I 
sha’n’t have much chance of doing it, for 
Gertrude Folsom e writes such perfectly 
splendid compositions that I know she will 
be able to write this thing better than any 
other girl in the school.” 

“ But you write lovely ones, too, for Miss 
Case said only the other day that she could 
hardly decide which was the better one of 
the two lying upon her desk, and one was 
yours and the other Gertrude’s. It was the 
day you had to stay home, because your 
mother was sick.” 

“ Did she truly? I am so glad, for I didn’t 
think she liked mine very well, and Ger- 
trude’s got the highest mark.” 

36 


ALICE FISHER 


“ Yes, I know it ; but that was because 
Miss Case liked her subject better.” 

“ Then I have a chance, after all ; and 
won’t I try hard ! I didn’t have time to do 
anything on Friday or Saturday, for mama 
wasn’t well, and I had a lot of things to 
do for her ; but I guess I’ll have time to be- 
gin this afternoon.” And Alice went back 
to her desk, which she shared with Gertrude. 

The two were fast friends, and were to- 
gether as much as circumstances permitted ; 
but Gertrude’s life and Alice’s were very 
unlike, for the former’s was all sunshine, 
while over the latter’s came many little 
shadows. 

Mrs. Fisher was a nervous, fretful woman 
who fancied herself an invalid, and proved 
rather an exacting one ; so that it was Alice 
who usually had to think for the mother, 
rather than the mother who watched over 
her child. 

Alice was the youngest of three children, 
37 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


the others being young men at college, and 
was rather a delicate child, tall for her age, 
which was fourteen, and extremely sensitive 
and nervous. Thinking so much for her 
mother, and striving to shield her from all 
care and excitement, had made her prema- 
turely thoughtful and quiet She was a 
good student, and worked most conscien- 
tiously, but quite alone; for her mother 
would not hear of her bringing the lessons 
near her room, and her father was too much 
occupied with the rise and fall of stocks to 
give her a thought. So she worked on by 
herself; and Miss Case, who knew the pe- 
culiarities of her home surroundings, mar- 
veled at her progress, and gave her all the 
assistance she could give, in justice to the 
others. 

Alice was greatly attached to Miss Case; 
and this was natural, for a lovelier char- 
acter never was brought in contact with 
young people. Isabel Case had certainly 
38 


ALICE FISHER 


not missed her vocation when she became 
principal of a large and successful girls’ 
school. It could not fail to prosper under 
her wise management, for she understood 
children perfectly; and although she could 
be affectionate and merry with them, she 
could also guide and govern them absolutely 
and without their ever suspecting how abso- 
lutely. 

Alice had few pleasures and few pretty 
things, for her mother left everything to the 
maids and to the seamstress who came each 
spring and fall to do the family sewing, and 
Alice was “ fitted out ” according to Miss 
Moore’s idea. 

If Miss Case had a partial thought in the 
matter, it was for Alice, because she realized 
that the winning of the prize would mean 
more to her than to the others, who were 
nearly all the children of happy homes and 
well-to-do parents, who could and did give 
them a great deal. 


39 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


Miss Case, however, was quick to realize 
that Alice had a sharp rival in Gertrude, 
and was wise enough to say nothing to any 
one upon the subject of the contest. 

As the two girls rode home on their wheels 
— and even her wheel had been given to 
Alice simply from motives of economy, for 
her home was at least two miles from the 
school, and Mr. Fisher considered the wheel 
cheaper than hiring a carriage often — they 
talked over the question of the hour. 

“ I’m going to work on my paper just as 
hard as ever I can this afternoon. I do wish 
I had some one to talk to about it, it’s so 
stupid to do it all alone. Did you do yours 
all alone? I don’t mean that some one 
helped you write it, of course; but after 
you’d written it did you read it to your 
mother? ” Alice asked Gertrude. 

“ Yes, and to papa, too ; and they both 
liked it ever so much. Oh, Alice, can’t you 
come over to our house this afternoon, and 
40 


ALICE FISHER 


stay all night with me? We would have a 
gay time, and yon could write your paper 
and read it to us. Do ! ” 

“ Do you think your mother would like to 
have me? ” 

“ To be sure she would. She always says 
to ask you whenever I like. Will you 
come? ” 

“ I’d love to,” was the brief answer. 

“ Mama, may I go over and stay all night 
with Gertrude? ” Alice asked her mother, 
when she reached home about twenty min- 
utes later. 

“ I don’t care, I’m sure. Did you bring 
home the new biscuits your father saw ad- 
vertised yesterday?” 

“ Yes’m ; they are on the side- table in the 
dining-room.” 

“ Well, run along; and tell Jane to fetch 
me some at once, and a cup of tea, too. But 
tell her not to make it so strong that I can’t 
touch it.” Then Mrs. Fisher resumed her 
41 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


perusal of the light novel which Alice’s 
entrance had interrupted. 

Her simple preparations made, Alice 
started for the visit from which she expected 
so much pleasure. Her wheel spun gaily 
along in the bright October sunshine, and 
brilliantly tinted leaves fell upon her from 
the beautiful maples which almost met over 
the road. 

Soon she was installed in Gertrude’s cozy 
room; and while the latter prepared her 
lessons for the following day, Alice worked 
hard upon the all-important paper. 

She had chosen for her subject “ The 
Bridge,” the same poem she had read on 
the previous Friday. Its vein of sadness 
appealed to her subdued nature, as the 
brighter poem had struck a responsive chord 
in Gertrude’s happier one; and she seemed 
to see the quiet waters flowing beneath her 
feet. 

In about an hour she announced that her 
42 



Alice worked hard upon the all-important paper 



ALICE FISHER 


work was finished; and Gertrude in the 
meantime haying completed her tasks, the 
two girls ran out for their wheels; for the 
young bodies needed exercise after the 
young brains had worked so steadily. 

“ Fm afraid it is no use for me to com- 
pete with you, but I can’t help wishing to 
win the watch. I’ve always wanted one so 
badly ; but when I ask papa, he always says, 
1 Yes, yes, child, certainly/ and then forgets 
all about it, I believe. So many of the girls 
have such pretty things, and I do love them 
so.” 

“ I don’t blame you one bit for wanting 
to win it; I guess anybody would love to 
win that prize.” 

But a serious tone had come into Ger- 
trude’s voice, and a thoughtful look upon 
her face. 


43 




Alice Reads Her Paper And Her 
Friends Read Alice 


\ 



“ ‘ Now who ever heard of such a broad hint? asked Gertrude 





CHAPTER IV 


ALICE READS HER PAPER; AND HER FRIENDS 
READ ALICE 



FTER dinner was over, the family 


XjL_gatkered as usual in the pleasant 
library, and Gertrude announced : “ Alice 
has her paper written, mamma, but she has 
not read it to me yet. I wish you would ask 
her to read it, so that we can all hear it.” 

“ Certainly ; we must hear it, by all means, 
Alice dear. It would never do to have our 
opinions biased from having heard but one.” 

“ Wait, wait! I must have my slippers 
and my after-dinner cigar before I can listen 
properly. Who is to get them for me? ” 
said Mr. Folsome. 

“ Now, who ever heard such a broad hint, 
Fd like to know? Fll go hunt for his cigar- 
case. I dare say he has left it in his over- 
coat pocket, while you hunt for his slippers, 
Alice.” 


47 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 

Gertrude brought the cigar and held a 
lighted match for him. 

“ Shall I smoke it for you, too? ” she 
asked jokingly. 

“ No, thank you, saucebox; I can do that 
for myself very well. Eh, but this is com- 
fortable ! ” he added, as he leaned back in 
his easy-chair. 

“ I’m afraid mine won’t be half so pretty 
as Gertrude’s, for she knows just how to 
tell about things. But, somehow, I can’t 
think of such bright things to say as she 
can; all my ideas seem to be such sober 
ones,” said Alice. 

“ You have chosen a rather sober subject, 
have you not, dear? ” asked Mrs. Folsome. 
“ It seems to me that a young girl like you 
should prefer bright, happy thoughts, and 
this poem, while it is very beautiful, deals 
with rather solemn ones for young people.” 

“ Yes, I know it does, but I feel solemn, 
sometimes. I can just see Mr. Longfellow 
48 


ALICE READS HER PAPER 


standing upon that bridge and watching the 
water flow beneath him, and Fm sure he was 
wishing, oh so hard! for something bright 
and happy, just then — something that would 
make him glad, as other people were. Did 
you ever feel dreadfully lonesome, and wish 
somebody would say something sweet and 
kind to you? ” 

Alice little dreamed how much she was 
disclosing to her sympathetic listeners, or 
the unintentional reproach she cast upon 
those whose duty it should have been to 
make such longings impossible. 

Mr. Folsome gathered the lonesome little 
girl close to his side. 

Alice laughed a contented little laugh, 
and, seated upon the right arm of the huge 
chair while Gertrude sat upon the left, she 
began to read. 

She had a soft, sympathetic voice, and 
read well. The picture was truly drawn, the 
story graphically told. How so young a child 
49 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


could put into it so much feeling, could bring 
everything so plainly before her hearers, was 
a source of wonder to them, and while they 
yet wished that Gertrude might win the 
prize, they could not fail to see that Alice’s 
description was the stronger one, and that 
it would be a very difficult matter for those 
who adjudged them to decide upon their 
relative merits. 

That the brighter, happier picture drawn 
by Gertrude would be more likely to appeal 
to others there could be no doubt, for we all 
love the sunshine of life; but Alice’s was 
undoubtedly the more powerful of the two. 
When she had finished she looked from one 
to the other with a half-expectant, half-dis- 
heartened look, and said : 

“ Do tell me exactly what you think of it, 
please, for I don’t half know, myself, and I 
should so love to win this prize ! ” And her 
voice choked a little. 

“ My little girl,” said Mrs. Folsome, as 
50 


ALICE READS HER PAPER 


her eyes exchanged a mutually understood 
look with Gertrude, “ you have truly done 
wonders. Since hearing your composiition, 
I quite tremble for Gertrude’s chances.” 

“ Really — really? Do you think it is 
good? I’m so happy! But I must know 
what Mr. Folsome thinks, too.” 

“ I think I’d like to take some of the 
people in this world, and put them into a 
patent carpet-shaking machine, just to see 
if it would have the effect of shaking some 
sense into them ! ” said Mr. Folsome, his 
eyes looking suspiciously bright. 

“ But what in the world has that to do 
with what I’ve written?” asked Alice, 
laughing heartily. 

“ Nothing. Only, I wish you’d write me a 
pen-picture of ‘ Darius Green and his Fly- 
ing-Machine,’ or ‘ The Wonderful One-Horse 
Shay,’ or ‘ Yankee Doodle,’ or anything with 
a laugh in it. Such solemn ideas shouldn’t 
be able to find place in your little brain.” 

51 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


“ Then you don’t like my picture? ” And 
her face fell. 

“ Like it? Yes, I do — immensely. It is 
a perfect wonder of deep feeling and sym- 
pathy. But I want to see more mirth and 
gladness than that in a little body like you. 
And now scoot off with Gertrude and Dot 
for a grand romp, and then to bed with you 
both, for it is half-past eight now, and in 
half an hour you must both be aboard the 
limited express for Sleepytown.” 

Off the girls flew, with the lively 
little fox-terrier close at their heels; and 
while they romped with him, hiding his ball 
and making him hunt for it, sending him 
upstairs for first one toy and then another 
from his box of toys, which was in mamma’s 
room, — and the intelligent little scamp knew 
each so well by name that he never brought 
the wrong one, — Mr. and Mrs. Folsome had 
a serious talk. 

“ Poor little forlorn chicken ! ” said Mr. 

52 












• They romped with the little fox terrier 





ALICE READS HER PAPER 

Folsome. “ I declare to you, I could hardly 
sit still and listen to what that child had 
written ; it showed too sad an undercurrent 
in her daily life. And I tell you, it’s my 
opinion that our Gertrude is going to have a 
neck-and-neck race for that prize.” 

“ I agree with you. But, much as I would 
love to have her win it, I could almost wish 
for Alice’s success. The poor child has so 
little.” 

“ Doesn’t your father say funny things? ” 
asked Alice, as she and Gertrude stood be- 
fore the pretty dressing-table, brushing 
their hair for the night. “ Sometimes I 
don’t know what he means, although I try 
ever so hard to think it out.” 

“ Oh, that’s only papa’s way. He often 
talks the greatest lot of nonsense, and just 
as I make up my mind he is only making 
fun, I begin to find the sense of it all.” 


53 



N 


Gertrude’s Scheme 




* 


* 




■V 




CHAPTER V 


GERTRUDE'S SCHEME 

A BOUT an hour later, when Mrs. Fol- 
some came upstairs, she stopped to 
peep in at Gertrude’s door. The tiny fairy 
lamp cast a soft light through the room, and 
Mrs. Folsome was surprised to discover that 
Gertrude was still awake. 

Coming close to the side of the pretty 
brass bedstead where the girls were sleeping 
together, she bent down and whispered, 
“ Why, dear, I thought you would be fast 
asleep by this time! Alice has set you a 
wise example.” And she stooped lower for 
another good-night kiss. To her surprise, 
she discovered that Gertrude’s cheek was 
wet with tears, and instantly all the mother 
tenderness came forth. 

“ Why, my darling, what is it? Tell 
mother at once, and let her help the 
trouble” — for Gertrude very seldom gave 
57 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


way to tears, and it was always some real 
grief that could draw them forth. But she 
only put her arms about her mother’s neck 
and drew her close down beside her. 

Alice stirred in her sleep and murmured, 
“ Just think! a pretty watch — my very 
own.” 

“ There! do you hear that?” asked Ger- 
trude, rather tragically ; and sitting up sud- 
denly, she said : “ Come to your den, please, 
mamma, for I’ve something to tell you, and 
even our whispering might awake Alice.” 

“ Must it be told to-night, dear one? It is 
very late for you to be awake, and you may 
tell me early to-morrow.” 

“ No, mamma; don’t ask me to wait, 
for I may not have courage to tell then, and 
I must tell.” 

Getting quickly out of bed, she slipped on 
the dainty pink night-slippers, and drew on 
the pink eiderdown bedroom robe which lay 
upon the chair beside her, then followed her 
58 


GERTRUDE’S SCHEME 


mother across the liall to the other room, her 
mother’s own sanctum. 

“ Now, mamma, please sit up there in the 
corner of the couch and let me come close 
beside you, for I can talk better then.” 

And her wise mother, feeling how much 
trifles influence us when we are sad or 
troubled, complied with her request. 


59 


Gertrude’s Sacrifice 



CHAPTER VI 


GERTRUDE^ SACRIFICE 

C UDDLING close, with her head in her 
mother’s lap, Gertrude began : 

“ Ever since Alice spoke to Dora Hinton, 
this morning in school, I’ve thought how 
anxious she was to win the prize; for her 
voice sounded so — so eager, you know. And 
then, when she read her paper to us to-night, 
and talked about it as she did, I seemed to 
realize wdiat it would mean to her if she 
didn’t win it. Of course she didn’t under- 
stand what papa meant by all that queer 
talk; but I did, because I’m so used to hear- 
ing him say such things. And then, when 
I looked at you, I knew how dreadfully sorry 
you felt for her because she was so lonesome 
and didn’t have any one to love her as I 
have you and him to love and pet me. 

“ Mamma,” — sitting up suddenly and 
planting her chin in her hands, while her el- 
63 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


bows rested upon her mother’s kDees, — “ just 
think what a dreadful thing it must be not 
to have your father and mother love and pet 
you, and not to be able to go and tell them 
every little thing that happens ! Just think ! 
Why, it must be simply miserable ! ” 

“ Yet, my pet, it is miserable — far more 
than you can realize,” Mrs. Folsome an- 
swered. 

“ I’m just as sorry for her as I can be, and 
if I should win that watch I’d feel as though 
I’d taken something away from her,” Ger- 
trude went on. 

“ But, my dear little girl, there is not the 
slightest reason that you should feel so, if 
you win it fairly. Moreover, there are many 
girls in the class, and any one of them may 
win it. How many are there? ” 

“ Fourteen.” 

“ Well, think how many both you and 
Alice must compete with.” 

“ Yes, I know there are a lot of them ; but, 
64 


GERTRUDE’S SACRIFICE 


you see, Alice and I have always come out 
first in everything of this sort, — at least, one 
or the other of us has been first, — and so I 
think we may now ; and I won’t , and that’s 
just all there is about it.” 

“ But how can you help it, if your paper is 
considered best? ” her mother asked. 

“ Just this way: I’m not going to have 
it ready in time.” 

“ Why, Gertrude ! But I can’t permit 
that. You must!” 

“ Now, mamma, please don’t say I must; 
for it is hard enough as it is, I can tell you. 
But I’ve thought hard for the last hour, and 
I’ve made up my mind. I’d like to get that 
watch just as much as any girl in the school, 
but not if I have to win it from Alice.” 

“ Well, tell me your plan, dear ; and if it 
be a wise one, I will not gainsay it.” 

“ There isn’t much plan to it — only just 
this : We girls are all to hand in our papers 
by next Friday afternoon, and Miss Case 
65 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


sends them to Mrs. Colburn at once. If any 
girl fails to have hers prepared in time, she 
isn’t in it — that’s all,” said Gertrude, un- 
consciously giving way to slang in her 
earnestness. “ My paper is all written, but 
I sha’n’t have it copied, and when Miss Case 
asks for it I can say it isn’t ready. That 
will be true, too ; and, after it is all over, 1 
can copy it and explain to Miss Case; for I 
don’t want her to think I’m careless.” 

“ My dear, dear little daughter ! ” was all 
Mrs. Folsome said. 

But Gertrude knew her plan was ap- 
proved, and, jumping up, said: 

“ Now I’m easy in my mind, and I’m go- 
ing straight to bed, and to sleep, too, for I 
couldn’t sleep one wink so long as all that 
was bubbling in my brain.” 

The next Friday afternoon fourteen eager 
girls gathered in the assembly-room to hand 
Miss Case their papers. They were varied 
66 


GERTRUDE’S SACRIFICE 


and various as to style, neatness, and com- 
position. 

One after the other handed hers as her 
name was called from the roll -book, and 
when it came Gertrude’s turn a murmur of 
surprise and dismay arose at her reply : 

“ Mine is not quite ready, Miss Case. I 
haven’t copied it yet.” 

“ Not copied it, Gertrude? ” And Miss 
Case looked up in blank amazement. 

“ No, Miss Case, it is not ready.” Ger- 
trude looked down at her desk. 

“ Why, Gertrude, I cannot understand 
this. You are usually so prompt. You cer- 
tainly have some good excuse to offer? ” 

“ No, Miss Case, I haven’t even that. I 
just haven’t copied it, that’s all,” she said, 
with flushed face and quivering voice. 

“ You may remain after the others are 
dismissed,” was all Miss Case said, but she 
looked keenly at the girl, and felt that more 
G7 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


than she suspected lay behind the words she 
had heard uttered. 

When school was over, the girls crowded 
about Gertrude, plying her with questions. 
The poor child was nearly beside herself, 
and at last said in desperation : 

“ Oh, do let me be! It is just as Pve told 
you a hundred times over. It isn’t copied, 
and that’s all I have to say.” 

When the others had gone, Miss Case 
called Gertrude to her, and putting her arm 
around her, said gently : “ Gertrude dear, 
there is something more to this than you 
were willing to tell in the presence of the 
other girls. Will you tell it to me? ” 

“ I can’t, Miss Case, and please, please 
don’t ask me ; ” and, alone with her teacher, 
Gertrude’s feelings broke down completely. 

“ Then tell me this, dear : Does your 
mother know anything about it? ” 

“ Yes, mamma knows all about it, and 
why I’ve not prepared my paper in time.” 

68 


GERTRUDE’S SACRIFICE 


“Very well, then; only I am very, very 
sorry you have missed your chance for the 
prize.” 

“ You can’t be more sorry than I am, Miss 
Case.” And her tone told more than her 
words. 

The following week was one of misery to 
her ; for she was a general favorite with the 
other girls, and they could not reconcile 
themselves to the existing condition of af- 
fairs, particularly Alice, who was devoted 
to Gertrude, and who grieved bitterly over 
her supposed misfortune. 

“ Why in the world didn’t you copy your 
paper during the week? It is a perfect 
shame, for it was such a lovely one ! I know 
it would be best of all. I just wish I hadn’t 
given mine in. I wouldn’t if I ’d known 
vours wasn’t ready, only ‘ F-i ’ comes before 
i F-o ’ on the roll-book, and so, of course, I 
had to go poking up first. Ugh ! it’s horrid.” 
Alice gave herself a disgusted shake. 

69 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


“ Nonsense ! I’m glad you did take it up. 
Because I fell behind is no reason that you 
should. One dunce at a desk is enough.” 
She tried to laugh, but it proved a rather 
forlorn attempt, and Alice was quick to feel 
it. 

“ Oh, 1 do so wish something could be 
done about it! ” she exclaimed. “ Couldn’t 
you get it ready to hand to Miss Case on 
Monday? and perhaps she would accept and 
send it, after all. Do try! I hate to have 
you miss the chance! ” 

“ No,” said Gertrude, decisively; “ that 
wouldn’t be fair at all, and I’m not going to 
try for it. I wasn’t ready at the time the 
others were, so I must take the conse- 
quences.” 


70 


The Prize Is Won 



CHAPTER VII 


THE PRIZE IS WON 

T HE important Friday came at last, and 
the girls, in a great state of flutter, and 
arrayed in their very best Sunday-go-to- 
meeting frocks, assembled once more in the 
big room. 

Upon the platform sat Mrs. Colburn, look- 
ing as serene as a summer’s day. Her great 
brown eyes seemed to see everything, and 
not a girl present but felt that those clear, 
penetrating eyes looked right down into her 
heart, and saw there all that was best or 
worst in her nature. The beautiful white 
hair lent an added charm to the calm, digni- 
fied face beneath it. But the sweet mouth, 
with its soft, tender curves, was her most 
attractive feature. 

Beside the visitor stood Miss Case, with 
the assembly-bell held ready to bring the 
class to order. At the right side of the plat- 
73 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


form sat relatives and friends of the girls; 
and one could not fail to see that a good 
deal of anxiety rested upon grown-up as 
well as upon youthful shoulders. There 
was not a girl present that did not have some 
one there to give a look of hope or encour- 
agement. 

Yes; there was just one who was quite 
alone, quite unable to single out a friendly 
eye, and that was Alice. 

The previous afternoon she had told her 
mother of the poem contest, and asked her if 
she thought she could possibly drive over to 
the school on Friday afternoon. 

“ Drive to the school, child ! Are you in- 
sane? Even if I could drive there, it would 
kill me to sit and hear those stupid girls 
reading all that nonsense.” 

“ But truly, mama, it isn’t nonsense,” 
Alice answered. “ Mrs. Colburn wouldn’t 
listen to nonsense.” 


74 


THE PRIZE IS WON 


“ Oh, Mrs. Colburn has always been pe- 
culiar. As a young girl she invariably had 
about twenty children towing after her, and 
lost no end of delightful things just to have 
walks with them. It seems perfect folly ! ” 

“ Perhaps that was her way of having de- 
lightful times,” said Alice, naively, and 
walked quietly out of the room. 

So now she sat in the school-room quite 
alone, so far as any interest from those 
seated upon the platform was concerned, 
and felt very solitary. 

Beside her sat Gertrude, looking very 
pretty in her handsome plaid poplin, with 
its cardinal silk trimings, her soft hair fall- 
ing about her flushed face, and her eyes 
brighter than ever from excitement. 

Buzz, buzz, went the voices all around 
her, till the soft tinkle of the bell called all 
to order. 

As Mrs. Colburn rose and stepped to the 
75 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


desk a pin could have been beard to drop, 
and the girls’ hearts beat so loudly that they 
believed the} 7 could be heard. 

She began, in her silvery voice : “ You 

can scarcely comprehend what it means to 
me to have so many bright faces gathered 
before me to-day, or how gratifying it is to 
be able to bring happiness to you all. I say 
‘ all,’ for even though the reward cannot 
be given to all, the pleasure you must nat- 
urally feel in the delight of the fortunate 
contestant will necessarily bring with it a 
happy moment for yourselves. And let me 
thank you for the very delightful week you 
have given me ; for in reading and criticizing 
your papers I have learned a great deal of 
your true selves, and have been brought 
closer to you than I otherwise could have 
hoped to be. 

“ Mr. Longfellow was for many years my 
dear and valued friend, and it has been my 
great good fortune to talk with him about 
76 


THE PRIZE IS WON 


many of his exquisite poems, learning from 
his own lips under what circumstances they 
had been written, and their true meaning. 

“ Nothing could have been sweeter or sim- 
pler than his manner, nor could anything 
have been more lovable than his nature. 
He was a great man in the truest sense of 
the word, and to see his writings with his 
own eyes was indeed an inestimable privi- 
lege, and one for which I shall never cease to 
be grateful. And you, my dear girls, have 
helped me to live again those delightful days 
in Cambridge, for many of the thoughts ex- 
pressed in your papers have been an echo 
of those I there heard. 

“ I have striven hard to arrive at a just 
criticism, and, believe me,” — with a sweet 
smile just curving the corners of her mouth, 
— “ I found it a very difficult matter — so 
difficult that I felt compelled to ask the ad- 
vice of a very clever friend in order to ren- 
der a just decision. Still, I am so anxious 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


that there should not be a shadow of in- 
justice that I am going to beg that you will 
cast a vote after hearing the papers read. 
Of course, my own choice is made, but it 
will be a source of great satisfaction if I 
find that you, too, select the paper I have 
chosen. Miss Case, will you be kind enough 
to call the names from your roll-book? ” 

After bowing slightly to the principal, 
Mrs. Colburn resumed her seat. First 
upon the roll came Constance Almont, and 
a sweet-faced girl of fifteen came to the 
platform. 

One by one they followed in regular suc- 
cession, and each read her paper. Mean- 
while Mrs. Colburn’s eyes swept the school- 
room, and at last rested upon Gertrude. 
When all had finished reading, she turned 
to Miss Case and asked a question, to which 
Miss Case replied in a low tone, but not so 
low that Gertrude did not catch it : “ Her 
78 


THE PRIZE IS WON 


composition was not prepared in time.” It 
was the hardest moment of all for the girl. 

Only her mother’s sympathetic look saved 
her from breaking down; but all through 
that dreadful time she was sustained by the 
sweet smile that never failed to meet her ap- 
pealing look. 

When the papers were read at last, the 
girls were requested to write upon slips of 
paper the name of the girl whose description 
they most admired. 

Some thirteen papers were dropped into 
the little box Miss Case passed around to re- 
ceive them, and when all were collected she 
handed the box to Miss Colburn, who at 
once proceeded to read and lay them in little 
piles before her — five in the first pile, four 
in the second, three in the third, and one in 
the fourth. 

“ In these little papers lies the fate of the 
prize; and I am delighted to find that my 
79 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


judgment, that of my friend Professor Rey- 
nolds, and the votes of five of the young 
ladies present, have awarded it to Alice 
Fisher. The four other votes are for Francis 
Dallison, the three for Marie Whitmore, and 
the remaining one for Katharine Ryder. 
While we cannot fail to see that Alice’s 
paper shows a greater depth of sentiment 
and strong feeling than any of the others, 
and that she has expressed herself excep- 
tionally well, w T e must not overlook the mer- 
its of the others. They are extremely well 
written, and I am more than gratified to 
express to you my warmest thanks for the 
pleasure you have given me, and, I feel sure, 
the others as well. 

“ Alice, dear, will you come to the plat- 
form, and give to me the crowning pleasure 
of the afternoon by allowing me to present 
to you the prize which you have so justly 
w T on? ” 

Her face beaming with happiness, Alice 
80 




The girls crowded about her as she opened the pretty c 



THE PRIZE IS WON 


walked up to the platform, and Mrs. Col- 
burn, taking a pretty pale-blue velvet case 
from the desk before her, placed it in Alice’s 
hand. 

“ There, dear ! I hope when you wear it 
you will think of the noble character whose 
beautiful words made it possible for you to 
win it.” And Mrs. Colburn patted Alice’s 
cheek with a caressing gesture. 

“ Thank you, oh, so very, very much ! ” 
was all Alice said ; but her face told volumes. 

The girls crowded about her as she opened 
the pretty case and disclosed to their eager 
eyes the beautiful little watch with its pretty 
monograms, and the dainty heart-shaped 
pin to hold it. “ Oh ! ” and “ Ah ! ” and 
“ How sweet ! ” “ How lovely ! ” were heard 
upon all sides, and large and small offered 
their congratulations. None were heartier 
than Mrs. Folsome’s and Gertrude’s, for 
they rejoiced most sincerely in Alice’s good 
fortune. After the excitement had subsided 
81 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


a few brief remarks were made by Miss Case, 
thanking Mrs. Colburn in her own and the 
girls’ names for her generous gift, and the 
school was dismissed. 

Alice, naturally, was the heroine of the 
hour, but bore her laurels modestly. 

“ Now that I have the watch, and know 
that it is truly, truly mine, I am almost 
sorry I’ve won it, for if I hadn’t Gertrude 
would, I know,” she said to Mrs. Folsome 
afterward. 


82 


An Investigating Committee 


CHAPTER VIII 


AN INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE 


W HEN all the others had gone, Mrs. 

Colburn turned to Miss Case and 
said : “ Can yon tell me why Gertrude Fol- 
some did not prepare her paper in time to 
have it sent to me with the others? She 
impresses me as. such an exceptionally 
bright girl that her failure to compete causes 
me no little surprise.” 

“ And she is exceptionally bright,” replied 
Miss Case, with some feeling. “ I wish I 
could tell you, for there is some good reason, 
I know. She is never behind with anything, 
and if I could have a school full of girls 
just like her my path would be strewed with 
roses instead of the somewhat thorny one it 
is.” 


“ Did she offer no excuse? ” 

“ None. When I pressed her for one, she 
begged me, with tears in her eyes, not to ask 
85 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


her, for she could not tell me. All I could 
persuade her to admit was that her mother 
knew all about it. With that I was obliged 
to be satisfied. Her mother is a woman of 
whom I have the highest opinion, and her 
training of Gertrude seems to be as near 
perfect as one could hope to find. Pve never 
met a girl with a more upright character.” 

“ I sincerely wish I could understand this 
matter,” said Mrs. Colburn, looking puzzled. 

“ I certainly intend to understand it be- 
fore I am many days older, for I shall call 
upon Mrs. Folsome and beg her to explain 
all to me. It is only fair that I should do 
so,” said Miss Case, looking very deter- 
mined. 

“ Do, I beg of you. Can you not go this 
very afternoon, and let me know later? I 
do not know when I have felt so perplexed 
over anything. By the way, dine with me 
this evening. It is on your homeward way, 
and I shall be delighted to have you.” 

86 


AN INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE 


“ Many thanks. I will, with pleasure, 
and I hope I may bring with me some pleas- 
ant news. But now I must go home and 
remove some of my professional dust” 
And Miss Case bade her kind friend good-by 
at the school-room door. 

An hour later Miss Case was seated in 
Mrs. Folsome’s cozy little room, listening 
eagerly to the disclosures that were made. 

“ And, Miss Case,” Mrs. Folsome added, 
in conclusion, “ 1 did not think it right to 
thwart her unselfish impulses. True, she 
might not have won the prize, but there was 
an excellent chance of it, for both Mr. Fol- 
some and I considered her paper very well 
written.” 

“ And I haven’t a doubt that it was, and 
probably brighter than Alice’s; for Alice is 
such a sober little body.” 

“ Dear child ! she has too little to make 
her otherwise, I suspect.” Mrs. Folsome 
looked rather sad as she spoke. 

87 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


“ I wish there was some way of bringing 
more brightness into the child’s life, but I 
fear the remedy lies beyond both you and 
me.” 

Miss Case soon afterward arose to depart. 

“ Can’t you stay a little longer, dear Miss 
Case? Gertrude rode home with Alice, but 
she will return very shortly, and be greatly 
disappointed at not seeing you. You hold a 
very warm place in her affections, I assure 
you.” 

“ I would gladly stay, but I have an en- 
gagement to dine with Mrs. Colburn, who 
is as curious over this matter as I am, and 
is eagerly awaiting my report. May I take 
Gertrude’s paper to show to her? ” 

“ Certainly ; and I hope she will approve 
it.” 

“ What did I tell you? ” was Miss Case’s 
somewhat informal greeting when Mrs. Col- 
burn welcomed her a little later. 

“ You told me nothing at all, because you 
88 


AN INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE 


were quite unable to,” Mrs. Colburn an- 
swered with a smile. “ However, I hope 
your knowledge is greater now, and that you 
will unravel the mystery for me.” 

“ I will, indeed.” And Miss Case rapidly 
told the circumstances connected with Ger- 
trude’s unselfish sacrifice of herself. 

“ Dear, dear child ! ” exclaimed Mrs. Col- 
burn. “ I am sure we can hardly appreciate 
how great a sacrifice it was, or what strength 
of purpose it required to carry it through to 
the end.” 

“ It is exactly like the child,” replied Miss 
Case. “ She never gives up, and that is the 
secret of her success in almost everything 
she undertakes.” 

“ But have you brought her paper with 
you? For I should very much like to see it.” 

“ I have; Mrs. Folsome, let me take it, 
although, as Gertrude truthfully said, it is 
not yet copied. That was part of her 
plan, you see. But it is clearly and well 
89 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


written, and I’m very glad to leave it with 
you.” 

“ Yes, pray do ; for if it is superior to 
Alice’s, — and indeed, if it has equal merit, — 
it, too, shall have its reward,” said Mrs. Col- 
burn, firmly. 

The following Wednesday Miss Case re- 
ceived this note from Mrs. Colburn : 

The Larches, October 29. 

My dear Miss Case : May I beg your cooperation in 
setting straight a little affair which lies very close to both 
our hearts ? If so, pray ask the members of the literature 
class and their friends to meet me in the assembly-room 
next Friday at twelve o’clock. I offer no explanations, for 
I cannot help wishing that you, too, may share a pleasant 
surprise I have taken pleasure in preparing for the class. 

Believe me, very sincerely yours, 

Marion Kingsland Colburn. 


On Thursday afternoon, just before dis- 
missing school, Miss Case said to her pupils : 
“ I have a pleasant bit of news for you this 
afternoon, which I fancy you all will be de- 
lighted to hear. Mrs. Colburn has sent me 
90 


AN INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE 


a note asking that I will request the mem- 
bers of the literature class, and also the 
friends whom they invited to be present on 
Friday last, to again meet her here in the 
assembly-room to-morrow at twelve o’clock.” 

This was too much for the girls’ curiosity, 
and so Miss Case was met by a shower of 
questions. 

“ I cannot tell you a word more about this 
than I have already told, for I am quite in 
the dark myself. I only know that Mrs. Col- 
burn desires to meet you here to-morrow, 
and must beg that you all will follow my 
example and be patient till to-morrow 
comes.” 

Half an hour later a bicycle flew in at the 
Folsome driveway, and its excited rider 
flung herself from it. 

Even as she reached the steps she called, 
“ Mamma, mamma ! where are you? Quick ! 
come listen to what I’ve to tell you ! ” 

91 


4 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


“ Here I am, maiden mine,” replied a 
voice from upstairs, and Mrs. Folsome 
popped her head out of the linen-closet. 

“ I’m so puzzled, I just don’t know what 
to think,” cried Gertrude, as she flew up- 
stairs, “ and you’ll have to help me. Mrs. 
Colburn has asked us all to meet her again 
to-morrow, and bring our friends, too.” 

“ Really, I am sure that puzzle is a hard 
one, and I fear I am unable to help you solve 
it.” 

“ But, mamma, if it is another contest, 
this time I have a perfect right to try to win 
it, if I can, haven’t I? ” 

“ You had a perfect right to try to win 
before, dear; but I am more proud of my 
little girl’s generous impulses than if she 
had won a dozen gold watches! ” Mrs. Fol- 
some kissed the eager face so close to hers. 

“ And you will surely come to-morrow, 
won’t you, mamma? ” 

“ Neither wild horses, locomotives, mo- 
92 


AN INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE 


tors, nor ocean liners could hold me back! 
Is that strong enough proof? ” 

“ You are just the blessedest little mother 
any girl ever had ! ” Gertrude exclaimed, 
embracing her. 


93 




The Scales of Justice Balance Evenly 


V 


i 


CHAPTER IX 


THE SCALES OF JUSTICE BALANCE EVENLY 

T HE following day Mrs. Colburn again 
addressed the literature class. The room 
was crowded with the girls and their friends, 
for curiosity lent piquancy to the occasion, 
and many were there who would have taken 
little interest in the girls’ literary contest; 
but not a girl had failed to tell at home of 
the general disappointment all had felt upon 
the previous Friday when their favorite 
schoolfellow had dropped behind the others, 
and all felt instinctively that to-day’s gath- 
ering had something to do with it. So when 
Mrs. Colburn arose to speak she encoun- 
tered a sea of expectant faces. 

“ My dear girls, when I spoke to you on 
Friday last, I felt that I was quite as happy 
as I could well be, for you had responded 
so promptly to my wish to learn something 
of your individual impressions of the poet 
97 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


Longfellow’s works, and had taken the ut- 
most pains to express yourselves concisely 
and well. Out of the class of fourteen, 
thirteen papers were handed to me to criti- 
cize, and I can truthfully add that it was no 
very easy matter to give a just and discrimi- 
nating opinion, for the work was remarkably 
well done. 

“ Only one little circumstance occurred to 
mar our pleasure last Friday, and it was 
that the fourteenth paper had not been pre- 
pared in time. This, I confess, was a keen 
disappointment to both Miss Case and my- 
self, nor could we form any satisfactory idea 
as to the reason, for Miss Case assured me 
that the one who should have presented that 
paper has always been known for the 
prompt fulfilment of her duties, and this 
was pleasure as well as duty — rather a rare 
combination, you will perhaps agree.” And 
Mrs. Colburn smiled upon her audience. 
“ Feeling sure that some good excuse lay 
98 


SCALES OF JUSTICE BALANCE 

behind the mystery, Miss Case and I set 
about unraveling it; and I can say, in all 
sincerity, that never have we undertaken 
anything which has brought forth such sat- 
isfactory results, for we have learned that 
not only was the paper prepared, but that 
it was fully equal to the one which carried 
off the prize. Indeed, it would have been 
the closest of close contests, and both Pro- 
fessor Reynolds — who again kindly as- 
sisted me in my decision — and I have de- 
cided that each, in its own way, fully mer- 
ited the reward. True, they are quite un- 
like, for the subjects chosen deal with widely 
different ideas; but as examples of dissimi- 
lar sentiments they each deserve great 
praise. 

“ And now, in justice, let me tell you why 
the paper was not copied in time to hand to 
me with the others. The writer feared that 
by so doing she might deprive her loved 
friend of an opportunity to win something 
99 


L.ofC. 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


upon which she had set her heart, and which 
would probably mean more to her friend 
than the mere trinket itself could ever mean 
to herself, although the honor of winning it 
would have signified quite as much to one 
as the other.” 

Here all eyes were bent upon Gertrude’s 
crimson face, for the exposure of her little 
secret was a complete surprise, and the poor 
child felt more embarrassed than she had 
upon the previous Friday. 

“ And now, in conclusion,” said Mrs. Col- 
burn, “ I wish to say just this: Since the 
papers were of equal merit, I am sure the 
rewards should be likewise; and if it gave 
me pleasure to present a prize to one of you 
on Friday last, how threefold is my satisfac- 
tion in doing so to-day, wdien I have not only 
exceptional work to reward, but that which 
is greater than any mental ability with 
wiiich w r e could be endowed — an affection 
which truly loves its neighbor better than 
100 





n >>* 

a 


. JS 

B • 


•• Gertrude clasped her arms about Mrs. Colburn s neck 



SCALES OF JUSTICE BALANCE 


itself, and gives proof of it by utter unself- 
ishness.” 

“ Gertrude dear,” Mrs. Colburn con- 
cluded, “ will you step to the platform one 
moment ? ” 

Trembling with excitement and pleasure, 
Gertrude did as she was requested, and Mrs. 
Colburn placed in her hands an exact coun- 
terpart of the pretty velvet case she had 
placed in Alice’s the week before, except 
that the cover of Gertrude’s box was pale 
green. 

For one second the child stood speechless, 
and then, her impulsive nature carrying her 
beyond all thought of present surroundings, 
she clasped her arms about Mrs. Colburn’s 
neck and hugged her with a speechless grat- 
itude that was charming. 

“ I know I shouldn’t do it, but I just can’t 
help it, for I’ve no other way of thanking 
you half hard enough ! ” said Gertrude, and 
her lips quivered ominously. 

101 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


Mrs. Colburn gathered her close in her 
arms and said : “ It is the sweetest return 
I could possibly have, dear, and means far 
more to me than the most eloquent speech, 
no matter by whom uttered.” 

The next moment bedlam seemed to have 
been turned loose, for the girls were wild 
with excitement, and almost fell over each 
other in their eagerness to see the beautiful 
gift. It was a facsimile of Alice’s, but inside 
the case was engraved: 

Let us, then, be what we are, and speak what we think, 
and in all things keep ourselves loyal to truth and the 
sacred professions of friendship. 

It would be difficult to convey any idea 
of Alice’s rapture. The only shadow upon 
her happiness in the possession of her own 
watch had been in the thought that but for 
her, Gertrude would have had one ; for 
nothing could convince her that Gertrude’s 
paper was not vastly superior to her own. 

102 


SCALES OF JUSTICE BALANCE 


And now, oh, joy of joys ! they had watches 
exactly alike, which had been won by equal 
merit. The usually undemonstrative Alice 
was carried completely out of herself, and 
astonished the whole school by walking 
boldly up to Mrs. Colburn and saying : 

“ You have made me so happy that I don’t 
believe I could hold another bit if I tried 
ever so hard! Oh, I am so glad you found 
out Gertrude’s secret, for nobody else did.” 

“ And your happiness is warmly shared 
by us all, my dear. We do not often find 
such a friendship as Gertrude has shown, 
for it takes much love and courage to so 
completely put self aside, and when we find 
such affection we cannot value it too 
highly.” 

“ Yes ; we love each other very dearly,” 
said Alice, simply, “ and I wish I had some 
way of proving my side of it.” 

“ You may find a way some day; who can 
103 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


tell?” Mrs. Colburn, as she spoke these 
words smiled hopefully into the big blue 
eyes regarding her so earnestly. 

And Mrs. Colburn’s words seemed almost 
prophetic, for half an hour later the way 
of proving her love was given to Alice. 

A few moments later the two girls guided 
their wheels side by side through the gate- 
way of the school-grounds. 

“ Come around to the village with me, 
Gertrude. I’ve an errand to do for mama.” 

“ All right. You lead and I’ll follow.” 

The errand was soon done, and the girls 
turned their wheels homeward, their way 
leading them past a new street which was 
being macadamized, and upon which that 
abomination of new roads, a steam-roller, 
was puffing and grinding its way. 

Gertrude, who was somewhat ahead of 
Alice, was watching the snorting monster, 
and was quite oblivious of what was happen- 
ing just behind her. 

104 


SCALES OF JUSTICE BALANCE 

But not so Alice. She noted the sudden 
plunge given by a nervous horse as he came 
in sight of the roller, and his wild dash to 
get beyond the terrifying object, jerking 
the heavy express-wagon to which he was 
harnessed as if it had been but a light nut- 
shell. 

“ Oh, Gertrude, Gertrude! Quick, 
quick ! ” screamed Alice, driving her own 
wheel forward with all her power. 

But her voice was drowned by the noise of 
the roller. 

“Look out! look out!” shouted one 
of the workmen. But it was too late; for 
the great horse, now mad with terror, 
plunged forward just as Alice, with a wild 
cry, pushed her wheel between him and her 
friend, throwing Gertrude into a soft pile of 
sand, as she herself fell beneath the horse’s 
feet. 


105 


• I 








“ As Sunshine Succeeds Shadow 9 


CHAPTER X 


“ AS SUNSHINE SUCCEEDS SHADOW ” 

A DOZEN ready hands rushed to lift the 
limp little figure lying upon the 
ground. 

Although for a moment utterly bewil- 
dered, Gertrude struggled to her feet just in 
time to see the unconscious Alice lifted by 
the man who had shouted the warning. He 
was now berating the unhappy driver, and 
at the same time shedding sympathetic tears 
upon his victim. 

“ Faix, it’s little sinse ye had to be lettin’ 
yer great baste av a horse come thramplin’ 
down on sich a swate young thing, crushin’ 
the very life out of her intirely ! ” 

“ Is she dead — oh, is she dead?” moaned 
poor Gertrude. 

“ Plaze heaven, she’s not ; but sind quick 
fer a docther, and we’ll thry to save the 
shmall breath that’s lift in her young body.” 
109 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


At that moment kind fate sent Mrs. Col- 
burn’s carriage by, and Gertrude, rushing 
out of the crowd which had gathered, as 
crowds will, from nobody knows where, 
cried out to her : 

“ Oh, Mrs. Colburn ! Come quick, please ! 
Come quick, for Fm afraid Alice is killed.” 

Much startled, Mrs. Colburn hurried to 
their aid, and after having Alice carried into 
a neighboring drug store, sent messengers 
for medical assistance, meanwhile doing all 
in her power to restore the sufferer. Pres- 
ently poor Alice opened her eyes and moaned 
faintly. 

“ What is it, Alice dear? Can you tell me 
what hurts you? ” 

“ My side — my arm,” was the faint reply. 

“ Dear, dear Alice, look at me,” begged 
Gertrude. “ I am so sorry — oh, so terribly 
sorry ! ” 

“ Did — you — get — hurt? ” came from the 
white lips. 


110 


“AS SUNSHINE SUCCEEDS SHADOW” 


“ Not a scratch, and all because you came 
between me and that dreadful horse. Oh, I 
never heard you call, or knew a thing about 
it till you pushed me off my wheel. If it had 
not been for my stupidity you would never 
have been hurt.” Poor Gertrude laid her 
head down upon the counter and sobbed as 
if her heart w r ould break. 

“ Don’t — let — her; please don’t,” said 
Alice, as Mrs. Colburn’s own physician hur- 
ried in. 

“ Mrs. Colburn, this is a shocking piece 
of business! Too bad, too bad, poor little 
girl ! ” said Dr. Redmond, as he bent over 
Alice. “ Now let me see how bad it really 
is and very gently he began the exami- 
nation. 

It was a miserable quarter of an hour for 
Alice, but she bore it bravely, and, save for 
one or two pitiful little moans, made no 
sound. 

“ She has been pretty severely handled, 
111 


V 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


for the right arm is broken, and one or more 
ribs as well; but the nervous shock is the 
most serious of all, for her nerves were 
never what they should be — and how could 
they be? I wish with all my heart I did not 
have to send her home, for she requires great 
care and skilful nursing, and a nervous 
woman is a poor attendant upon a nervous 
patient, and we shall have a scene, as sure 
as the world. Can’t we do better for her? ” 
And he looked at Mrs. Colburn with an odd 
expression. 

“ I think we can, if you will so order it,” 
she replied, with a quick comprehension of 
his meaning. 

“ Good ! Then I’ll order her to your 
house, which is a mile or so nearer, and stop 
at the hospital myself to have a nurse come 
up at once.” For the kind doctor and his 
old friend Mrs. Colburn understood each 
other thoroughly, and together carried many 
112 


“AS SUNSHINE SUCCEEDS SHADOW” 


a blessing where their agency would never 
be known. 

Before a half-hour had passed, Alice was 
lying upon a dainty white bed in a room 
adjoining Mrs. Colburn’s own, while a 
white-capped nurse and the doctor prepared 
to mend the poor bones. 

Word had been sent to Mrs. Fisher, and 
everything possible done to relieve her anx- 
iety; but she promptly took to her bed, and 
the maids had their hands full. Then as the 
days went by she began to learn how much 
her daughter had been to her, and how es- 
sential to her comfort. She missed the hun- 
dred little attentions she had always ac- 
cepted as a matter of course, and the house, 
when she finally decided that she could go 
about it, looked cheerless and uncared for. 

At first Alice was very wretched about 
her mother, and fretted lest she should need 
attentions no one but the daughter could 
113 


TITE COLBURN PRIZE 


give. But Mrs. Colburn sent and received 
messages constantly, and, strange to say, 
the latter were remarkably cheerful. Then, 
too, Mr. Fisher came often to see her, and 
Alice actually saw him oftener during her 
illness than she had seen him in the entire 
year before. 

Mrs. Folsome and Gertrude were untiring 
in their devotion, and no one realized how 
deeply the former had been touched by 
Alice’s heroism. When, about six weeks 
later, Alice began to get about her room a 
little, Gertrude would have had a celebra- 
tion of fireworks. 

“ Just think, Alice,” she said, as she sat 
by her couch, one day, “ you have been here 
six weeks, and all because you rushed to 
save me that dreadful day. I never, never 
can make you understand how much I think 
of what you did then, and it is no use for me 
to try to thank you; I haven’t any words 
half good enough.” 


114 


"AS SUNSHINE SUCCEEDS SHADOW” 


“ Why, there was nothing else for me to 
do. You would have been killed if I hadn’t 
done what I did.” 

“ Yes ; and you were nearly killed in- 
stead.” Gertrude raised Alice’s white hand, 
and laid her own rosy cheek against it. 

“ Well, don’t let’s talk about it any more, 
but let me tell you something perfectly de- 
lightful. What do you think Mrs. Colburn 
has asked me to do? You’ll never guess. 
She wants me to go to Florida with her on 
the 15th of December, and has asked mama 
if I may.” 

“ And what does your mother say? ” asked 
Gertrude, eagerly. 

“ She said yes, for she and papa are going 
abroad in January, and I should have to go 
to Miss Case’s to board anyway, and this 
will be a hundred times nicer.” 

“ Well, I should say just Yes, with a big 
capital letter, and I’m as glad as though I 
were going, too — although what in the world 
115 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


I’ll do without you I just don’t know.” And 
Gertrude looked rather forlorn. 

Two weeks later a very happy party, com- 
posed of Mr. and Mrs. Folsome, Mrs. Col- 
burn, Alice, and Gertrude, stood in the 
Pennsylvania station. 

Alice still looked pale, and had by no 
means returned to her normal condition; 
but she was very happy, and looked forward 
to her three months in Florida with the 
pleasantest anticipation. 

“ You need not be surprised if you do 
not see me in New York for several months,” 
said Mrs. Colburn, “ for now that I have 
borrowed Alice, I do not mean to return her 
very promptly; certainly not until I can 
plant some roses in her cheeks.” 

“ And what do you suppose will become of 
me, Mrs. Colburn? ” asked Gertrude. “ I 
shall count the days that must pass before 
you will come back, and then maybe you 
won’t come. There ! if that isn’t a fine Irish 
116 


“AS SUNSHINE SUCCEEDS SHADOW” 

sentence, I’d like to hear one. I wish Miss 
Case could have heard it ! ” 

And so, amid jokes and hearty good-bys, 
the great train rolled out of the station, 
carrying with it one of the most generous- 
hearted of women, and one who was to be 
Alice’s sweetest and life-long companion; 
for long before they returned from their 
journeyings, which extended to nearly every 
point of interest in our lovely land, and, 
indeed, some of the adjacent ones as well, 
Mrs. Fisher took the journey to that distant 
country which sends no travelers home, and 
Alice found in Mrs. Colburn the affection 
that had been lacking in her own home. 

It was the news of Mrs. Fisher’s death 
which decided Mrs. Colburn’s half-formed 
plans to travel for a period, and before they 
returned Alice had grown to feel that she 
was more Alice Colburn than Alice Fisher, 
as, indeed, she ultimately became ; for in the 
course of the following year Mrs. Colburn 
117 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


legally adopted her, and Alice’s life became 
as sweet and peaceful as the sunny autumn 
day upon which we first met her. 

Never again did one see the sad lines 
about the mouth or the hungry look in the 
eyes, for Mrs. Colburn, realizing how many 
years which should have been bright ones 
had slipped away, strove in every way within 
her power to bring joy and gladness into the 
young life. 

And Alice fully repaid her, for she gave 
to her the rich affection she would have 
given to her mother had she been encouraged 
to do so, and filled Mrs. Colburn’s life as it 
had never before been filled. 

Mrs. Colburn had lost her husband after 
one brief year of wedded life, and her sor- 
row had been lifelong. Only in making 
others happy could she find happiness her- 
self, and her ample means made it very easy 
for her to do so. 

The formerly quiet house now echoed girl- 
118 


“AS SUNSHINE SUCCEEDS SHADOW” 


isli voices, for Alice and Gertrude were as 
fast friends as ever, and still shared all 
pleasures. 

And many a delightful afternoon or eve- 
ning did they have in the big house, with 
Mrs. Colburn to share or direct the merry- 
makings. So there were merry teas, dainty 
luncheons, gay dances in the big drawing- 
room, and all sorts of out-door frolics be- 
sides. 

And now, upon Alice’s sixteenth birthday, 
we will bid her farewell, as she and Ger- 
trude, the latter now fourteen years old, sit 
in the library waiting for Mrs. Colburn to 
return from town; for there is to be a 
birthday dance, and both girls are looking 
eagerly forward to the evening, and the 
dainty gowns to be worn then, which Mrs. 
Colburn is to bring with her from the city. 
Of course, they are to be as nearly alike as 
possible, and Mrs. Folsome has promised to 
come over a little later in order to assist at 
119 


THE COLBURN PRIZE 


the important affair and help array the two 
girls. 

So we leave them to their happy dreams 
and fancies, realizing that they have indeed 
been “loyal to the sacred professions of 
friendship.” 


THE END 


120 



As the minutes pass so swiftly , swiftly from these tiny hands , 
Telling off the hours so quickly in so many , many lands y 
Girls are hoping , plannings striving this or that rezvard to gain, 
For throughout this lovely planet girlhood days are tnuch the same. 

Into them creep joys and sorrows, sorrows oh, so hard to bear ! 

Joys so great that never after any can with those compare. 

Then life seems so true and earnest, and one's faith in all so great. 
That to give affords the giver far more pleasure than to take. 





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The whole recounted by one Nicholas Chase, promoter of 
the expedition, whose reports have been arranged for 
publication by ALBERT BIGELOW PAINE, 
author of (t Tbe Van Dwellers ,” “The Bread Line ,” 
etc. Drawings by Bernard J. Rosenmeyer. Sketches 
by Chauncey Gale, and maps, etc., from Mr. Chase’s 
note book. 

A Romance of the FartHest ScrutH 

A Thrilling Account of Adventure 
and Exploration at the South Pole 


€f The Great White Way is the best thing of the sort 
I’ve seen since * Gulliver* s Travels .* 

** It is far more entertaining than any account of Ant- Arctic 
discovery given to the world heretofore, and I’ll venture 
the opinion that it is fully as correct in scientific research. 
Moreover, the story will fetch all who have felt the 
* bug of the bear. * 

Very truly yours. 


JOSHUA SLOCUM, 

Mariner. * ’ 


ALBERT BIGELOW PAINE, 

Voyager. 


J. F. TAYLOR (EL COMPANY 

5 Sr 7 EJtST SIXTEENTH ST.. NEW YORK 


WEST 


NORTH 

But One Verdict 

SOUTH 


EAST 


THE 

CHRONIC 

LOAFER 


BY 

NELSON LLOYD 
* 

8 vo, ClotH, $1.25 


OvxtlooK, New YorK 

New “A new American humorist. The stories have the point and dry 

YorK force found in those told by the late lamented David Harum." 

San Francisco Argonaut 

Cal. “Will bring a smile when it is read a second or thi«d time.’* 

New Orleans Picayune 

L a . “Racy with wisdom and humor.*’ 

Chicago Inter-Ocean 

“A book full of good laughs, and will be found « sure specific for the 
blues.’’ 

Omaha World Herald 
Neb. “The reader will love him.” 

NortH American, Philadelphia 

“Great natural humor and charm. In this story alone Mr. Lloyd 
is deserving of rank up-front among the American humorists.” 

Portland Transcript 

w “A cheerful companion. The reviewer has enjoyed it in a month 

***• when books to be read have been many and the time precious.” 

Denver Republican 

“Nelson Lloyd is to be hailed as a Columbus. There isn’t a story in 
the book that isn’t first-class fun, and there’s no reason why The Chronic 
©•1 Loafer should not be placed in the gallery of American celebrities beside the 
popular and philosophical Mr. Dooley .” 


J. F. TAYLOR (St. COMPANY 

S Sr 7 EAST SIXTEENTH ST., NEW YOKE 


A DROJ\[E and 
A DREAMER 

By NELSON LLOYD 

Author of “The Chronic Loafer” 

AN AMERICAN LOVE STORY 

Illustrated, GlotH, 8vo, $1.50 

“ ‘ A Drone and A Dreamer * recalls the maxim of La 
Bruycre : * When the reading of a book elevates the mind and 
inspires noble sentiments , do not seek for another rule by which 
to judge the work . It is good and made by the hand of a 
workman. * One of the cleverest and most fascinating stories, 
all too brief, that it has ever been my pleasure to read.” 

— Walt. McDougall, in North American . 

“ Capitally told. The whole story is rich in humor.” 

— Outlook . 

“The most delightfully original offering of the year.” 

— New York World . 

“ A story that every one can enjoy . * f — New York Press. 

“At once and unreservedly we acknowledge the singu- 
lar merits of this clever romance.” 

— New York Times Saturday Review . 

“ Occasionally across the weary wastes of contemporary 
fiction — erotic, neurotic, tommy rotic or would-be historical, 
— comes a breath from some far, sweet land of cleanness and 
beauty. Such a story is * A Drone and A Dreamer.* It is 
difficult to conceive of anything more charming and delight- 
ful than this book.” — Chicago Evening Post . 


J. r. TAYLOR ca COMPANY 

5+7 EAST SIXTEENTH ST., NEW YORK 


LACHMI BAI 

BY 

MICHAEL WHITE 

Ornamental ClotH Cover, $1.50 
Fully Illustrated 

* * 

A Strong Historical Novel 

Dealing with the Sepoy Hebellion 

* 

A story founded upon the struggle of the 
famous Princess of India, Lachmi Bai, to 
recover her possessions from the English. 

The novel shows her in the role of The 
Jeanne d' Arc of India , depicting with masterly 
skill the brains, unceasing energy and indomi- 
table courage which enabled her to rouse the 
native princes to strike a blow for freedom. 
Her beauty, woman’s wit and earnestness of 
purpose, all make her a most fascinating hero- 
ine, both in romance and history. 


J. F. TAYLOR CSL COMPANY 

5 Sr 7 EAST SIXTEENTH ST., NEW YORK 


Two Sides 

of Ji Question 

Life from a Woman’s Point of View 


BY 

MAY SINCLAIR 

ClotH $1.30 

A BOOK. TO READ, THINK 
OVER AND DISCUSS 

* * 

**A masterpiece. The vigor of the work and the knowl- 
edge of human interest it displays are altogether exceptional. 

— The Bookman . 

“The characters are irresistible. The book should be 
read.” — St. James Gazette. 

“This book belongs to a high order of imaginative fiction, 
based on the essential realities of life.” — Athenaeum. 


J. F. TAYLOR (El COMPANY 

5 6-7 EAST SIXTEENTH ST., NEW YORK 


PARLOUS TIMES 

DAVID DWIGHT WELLS 
A Novel of Modern Diplomacy 

BY THE AUTHOR OF 

“Her Ladyship's Elephant 

Parlous Times is a society novel of to-day. 
The scene is laid in London in diplomatic 
circles. The romance was suggested by experi- 
ences of the author while Second Secretary of 
the United States Embassy at the Court of St. 
James. It is a charming love story, with a 
theme both fresh and attractive. The plot is 
strong, and the action of the book goes with a 
rush. Political conspiracy and the secrets of 
an old tower of a castle in Sussex play an im- 
portant part in the novel. The story is a 
bright comedy, full of humor, flashes of keen 
wit and clever epigram. It will hold the 
reader’s attention from beginning to end. 
Altogether it is a good story exceedingly well 
told, and promises to be Mr. Wells’ most suc- 
cessful novel. 

Cloth , 8 vo, ft. 50 


J. F. TAYLOR CEL COMPANY 

S Sr 7 EAST SIXTEENTH ST., NEW YORK 


Trinity Bells 

By AMELIA E.. BARR 

Cloth, Svo, ftl.SO 

Sixteen full-page Illustrations by Relye* 

* * 

"One of the best stories ever "written by 
Amelia E. Barr.” 

ST. LOUIS GLOBE DEMOCRAT. 

CHRISTIAN NATION* 

‘‘Without question the best book for young girls which has appeared 
for years. Besides being interesting it has an educational value, as it is good 
supplementary reading to a school course in history. Mrs. Barr is at her 
best in Trinity Bells. We trust that every library will soon have a copy on 
its shelves.’* 

LITERARY WORLD. Boston. 

“In idea and execution this is one of the author’s best works, and 
well worthy of its superb dress of silver and green.” 

THE BOOR-BUYER, 

“The name is happily chosen for this romantic story of life in New 
York during the period preceding the war with the Mediterranean corsairs, 
for the bells of Old Trinity ring out an accompaniment to the changing for- 
tunes of the lovable little Dutch heroine. There is a charm in Mrs. Barr’s 
work that goes directly to the reader’s heart, while her skill in the delinea- 
tion of character is no less effective in its appeal to the mind. Trinity Bells 
is an excellent minor historical romance, worthy of a permanent place in a 
young girl’s library.” 

BOSTON TIMES. 

“No more agreeable story of life in the early days of our country has 
ever been written. Trinity Bells shows Mrs. Barr’s charm and power in 
all its force and beauty. Besides its historical value, it is vastly entertaining.” 


J. F. TAYLOR CEL COMPANY 

5 Sr 7 EAST SIXTEENTH ST.. NEW YORK 


White Butterflies 

B y KATE. UPSON CLARK 

GlotH, &vo, $1.23 
MARY E. WILKINS 

“The stories are marvellous. I fee! as though 1 were constantly find- 
ing another vein of gold . The dramatic power in some of them has never 
been excelled in any American short stories. * Solly' is a masterpiece .” 

ANSON JUDD UPSON. D.D., L.L.D., 

Chancellor of The Univ. of Now Yorh 

“Your stories are just what I like. Your characters are exceedingly 
vivid. I cannot too warmly commend the simplicity and purity of your 
style, the vividness of your characters and the general construction of the 
stories.” 

MARGARET E. SANGSTER 

* “It seems to me that no stories, long or short, have appeared, which 
illustrate more perfectly than these what we have in mind when we use, in 
a literary sense, the term ‘ Americanism . ' The atmosphere of these beau- 
tiful tales is truthfully varied to suit every locality described, but everywhere 
the standards and ideals are set alike. A sound, healthful Americanism, 
just what we wish the word to mean, pervades them all.” 

St. Louis Globe-Democrat 

“It is not art j it is genius.” 

The Nation 

“It is unusual to find so wide a range of scene and person in one col- 
lection of short stories. In each of these a strongly dramatic incident is in- 
troduced, ringing both true and real.” 

Mail and Express 

“Many a nugget of wisdom, many a bit of homely philosophy, and 
enough humor to leaven the whole.” 

"Western Club "Woman 

‘‘Full of exquisite pathos, a tenderness, a delicacy of touch not often 
equalled. The art is perfect.” 

Chicago Evening Post 

“Mrs. Clark is entitled to the thanks of a reading public.” 


J. F. TAYLOR (&. COMPANY 

5 «• 7 EAST SIXTEENTH ST.. NEW YORK 


The Colburn Prize 

By GABRIELLE E. JACttSON 

ILLUSTRATED BY MABEL HUMPHREY 

Ornamental ClotH Cover, $1.00 

* * * 

Mrs. Jackson needs no introduction. Her stories in 
the St. Nicholas magazine have won for her a warm place 
in the hearts of the girls throughout the country. The 
Colburn Prize is a charming story of mutual sacrifice by two 
school friends, and is the last and best work of the gifted 
author of Denise and Ned Toddles and Pretty Polly Perkins. 

Nine full-page illustradons add to the charm of this ex- 
quisite gift book which Mrs. Jackson has dedicated to THE 
SCHOOL GIRLS THROUGHOUT THE LAND. 


The Billy Stories 

By EVA LOVETT 

Ornamental ClotH Cover, $1.00 

Charmingly Illustrated with Half- Tones and Line Cuts 

* * # 

Billy in the role of Pirate , Author, Rough Rider , etc., 
will be keenly enjoyed by every boy and girl, and also by 
the older people who read this book. 

A Humorous and most amusing' set of stories 
told from tHe boy's point of view 


J. F. TAYLOR ®L COMPANY 

5 Sr 7 EAST SIXTEENTH ST.. NEW YORK 


Charles Kingsley 


NOVELS, POEMS AND LIFE 
v? 

CHESTER EDITION 
* 

Illustrated with 42 photogravure plates printed on Japa- 
nese paper, from paintings by Zeigler , and from portraits by 
Reich and others, photographs, etc. Introductions by Mau- 
rice Kingsley . Printed from new, large type, on choice 
laid paper. 

* 

14 volumes, Svo, cloth, gilt top , $ 20.00 . 

One»Half crushed morocco, gilt top, $45.00. 


Supplied separately in cloth, as follows: 


HEREWARD THE WAKE 
ALTON LOCKE 
WESTWARD HO! - 
YEAST - - - 

TWO YEARS AGO 
HYPATIA - 

POEMS - 

LETTERS AND MEMORIES 


2 Vols. $3 00 

2 “ 3.00 

2 “ 3.00 

1 “ 1.50 

2 “ 3.00 

2 “ 3.00 

1 “ 1.50 

2 “ 3.00 


This is the only illustrated edition of this author* s 
works ever issued. The introductions by Charles Kingsley’s 
son are particularly interesting and timely. 


J. F. TAYLOR m. COMPANY 

5 & 7 EAST SIXTEENTH ST.. NEW YORK 


The Sc he eh 

BY 

PAUL BOURGET 

Copiously Illustrated. 

Ornamental cover , gilt top. $1.50 

A Novel of Society in Paris and London 

A fascinating love story. The character studies contained 
in this society novel of to-day are in Bourget’s most finished 
style. His power of analysis and ability to depict character 
are marvelous, and nowhere are they better illustrated than 
in The Screen. 


Stepping 

Heavenward 

BY 

ELIZABETH PRENTISS 

New Illustrated Edition. 

Ornamental cloth cover , green and silver. $1.50 

A special holiday edition of Mrs. Prentiss’ famous story, 
bound uniformly with Amelia E. Barr’s “Trinity Bells.” 
Boxed in artistic form. The two books, making a charming 
gift, $3.00 per set. Sold separately at $1.50 a copy. 

J. F. TAYLOR (El COMPANY 

S Sr 7 EAST SIXTEENTH ST., NEW YORIt 


Canadian FolK-Life and 
FoIK-Lore 

WILLIAM PARKER GREENOUGH 
Numerous Illustrations. Crown 6vo., ClotK. $1.50 

TORONTO WORLD 

“We have no hesitation in saying that this book is a distinct contrib- 
ution to the literature of Canada.” 

QUEBEC DAILY TELEGRAPH 

“There is not a dull page in the whole book.” 


F/7 f f?K id S Sin, A CornisH Romance. 
By J. H. PEARCE 

New illustrated edition. ClotK, 8vo., $1.2 5 

BUFFALO EXPRESS 

“A powerful tale. This book should go beside Hall Caine's trage- 
dies of fisherfolk.” 


TITLES ‘UN ION 

‘‘Deserves to be read by all Americans as well as the English-speaking 
people in the four corners of the earth.” 


THe Potentate 


By FRANCES 
FORBES-ROBERTSON 


New illustrated edition. ClotK, 8vo., $1.23 

DENVER REPUBLICAN 

“A picture of knighthood as rare as a scene on an ancient bit of tap- 
estry.” 

THE ACADEMY 

“A steel-bright romance of the middle ages — flashing blades, passages 
of love and adventure, and all the paraphernalia of romance marshaled by a 
skilful hand.” 


A Hand-BooK of Wrestling 

By HUGH F. LEONARD 

Instructor in Wrestling at the New York Athletic Club. 
Crown 6vo., ClotK, 220 illustrations f $2* Edition de Luxe , $5 
“I wish the work the success which it merits.” 

— D. A. Sargent, Medical Director, Harvard University 


J. F. TAYLOR (D. COMPANY 

S Sb 7 EAST SIXTEENTH ST., NEW YORK 




lyQV 


DEC 5 1901 

















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